Riley Strain’s Body Discovered In Cumberland River Two Weeks After He Went Missing
After a two-week search, the body of missing University of Missouri student Riley Strain was recovered in the Cumberland River on Friday morning (March 22). Police released a short statement, indicating foul play does not appear to be a factor in his death.
22-year-old Riley went missing on Friday (March 8) after being kicked out of Luke Bryan’s 32 Bridge bar in downtown Nashville. 32 Bridge released a statement explaining why they kicked him out, saying:
“At 9:35 p.m., our security team made a decision based on our conduct standards to escort him from the venue through our Broadway exit at the front of our building.”
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Riley’s friends reported him missing the following day (March 9) after they realized he never returned to his hotel.
Surveillance footage showed Riley stumbling and appearing disoriented as he walked through downtown Nashville on the evening of March 8. His last known location appeared to be at the intersection of Gay Street at the James Robertson Parkway bridge.
Over the next two weeks, police focused their search efforts on the Cumberland River. They conducted helicopter sweeps, and the United Cajun Navy also joined the search.
Searchers discovered Riley’s debit card on March 17 on the embankment between Gay Street and the Cumberland River.
Riley Strain's bank card was discovered this afternoon on the embankment between Gay St. And the Cumberland River. The search for him continues.
— Metro Nashville PD (@MNPDNashville) March 17, 2024
Nashville Police Release Statement About Riley Strain’s Death, Say They Do Not Suspect Foul Play
Early in the search for Riley Strain, police said they did not suspect foul play to be a factor in his disappearance.
The Metro Nashville Police Department released a brief statement after Riley’s body was recovered on Friday (March 22). Additionally, they said they observed “no foul play-related trauma” on his body.
BREAKING: The body of Riley Strain was recovered from the Cumberland River in West Nashville this morning, approximately 8 miles from downtown. No foul play-related trauma was observed. An autopsy is pending.
— Metro Nashville PD (@MNPDNashville) March 22, 2024
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Police said an autopsy is pending to determine Riley’s cause and manner of death.
Our thoughts and prayers go out to Riley’s family, friends, and loved ones during this difficult time.